Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's cause of death was caused by Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), which was service-connected. However, the effective date for DIC benefits is denied as it was received over a year after the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the cause of the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected disabilities, but further medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board granted the Veteran's request to add his spouse, N., as a dependent for purposes of additional dependency compensation due to submission of complete information regarding their marriage and previous marriages.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was dismissed because the claim was filed concurrently with a higher-level review, violating VA claims processing rules.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg disabilities, as well as for restless leg syndromes in both legs. The reasons given include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits were discontinued due to his income exceeding the poverty threshold for 2023. The Board finds that remanding is required as the RO did not provide evidence regarding the Veteran's 2023 income, including information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's application for VA beneficiary travel benefits was granted as he met the eligibility criteria and submitted his claim within the required timeframe.

The Board has granted service connection for a mild neurocognitive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dental issues, finding that there was no increase in severity during service and that the condition existed prior to entry into service. The evidence did not show a medical link between the current need for new dentures and treatment received while in service.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with spastic duodenal bulb does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his other disabilities, including a back disability and left foot surgery.

The Veteran's right foot posterior tibial tendinitis was granted a 20 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5284 for moderately severe foot injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and TDIU were denied. The Board found that there was no present disability during the period on appeal, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand, and right and left foot cold weather injuries are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination in connection with the service connection claim for varicose veins. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to toxic exposure risk activity during his Gulf War service, and there may be a nexus between his varicose veins and this exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for schizoaffective disorder with opioid dependence due to a withdrawal by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rate of recoupment of separation pay, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to legal inadequacy and insufficient notice under VA regulations. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion considering all available evidence, including recent assessments and testimony from the Veteran and his family caregiver.

The Veteran's appeal of the January 2013 denial of service connection for myopic astigmatism with senile cataracts, bilateral eyes was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.

The Veteran's testicular cancer s/p orchiectomy is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to rate the disability, and therefore remands the case for a VA examination.